President Obama makes his first trip to Maine in over two years Thursday, to tout the insurance reforms in the new health care law.

Washington (CNN) - President Obama makes his first trip to Maine in over two years Thursday, to tout the insurance reforms in the new health care law.

The president is expected to speak at the Portland Expo Center Thursday afternoon.

"The president will be in Maine where he'll be talking about some of the benefits that small businesses will get in the short term and the long term as it relates to health care," White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said Wednesday.

CNN's Dan Lothian reports that Obama will be joined by Small Business Administrator Karen Mills, and that the president and members of his cabinet will continue to hit the road in the weeks and months ahead to continue to tout the benefits of the new health care law.

Thursday's visit is Obama's first trip to Maine since February 2008, when he was running for the White House and went to the state to campaign for delegates in the Maine caucuses. Obama ended up winning that contest and also captured Maine by 18 points over Sen. John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.

After his speech in Maine, Obama heads to Boston to attend two fundraisers for the Democratic National Committee.

soundoff(25 Responses)

Seems like America would be better served if he would concentrate on jobs instead of 24/7 campaigning, all of this on our tax dollars.

That's what happens when a community organizer with no experience is elected, a disaster for our country.

April 1, 2010 09:15 am at 9:15 am |

Dave

A good health care bill stands on its own. The one proposed in the campaign was relatively reasonable. However, the law signed which is about 90% more expensive and is probably in line with the needs of trial lawyers and the medicine industry, and hurts seniors in the process and probably hurts jobs, is probably something which "after the fact" campaigning will not work.
Fool me twice!? shame on me! The president thinks his rhetorics is so great that we can eat each frog shoved down our throat, at some point even a smart well spoken guy stops being effective at lying!

April 1, 2010 09:17 am at 9:17 am |

Charlie in Maine

I wish I could be there. He is awesome. He has delivered change I can believe in. The fact that he makes decisions based on what he feels is best for the country amazes me. In this era when some politicians won't part their hair on one side or the other without approval from a poll or focus group he does what he thinks is best.

A good example is his decision on off-shore drilling. As an environmentalist I was surprised but as a motorist and realist I can see that along with conservation and using renewables. we need to find more oil as well. We must also have oil based business on our side when we present a balanced energy policy.
Given that the eco groups on the left and the oil execs on the right are both upset with the decision it is probably about right.

April 1, 2010 09:17 am at 9:17 am |

LOL

Let's set his RECORDS straight: Chicago Law "Professor" goes to one of the 57 States to sell his 3,000% savings in health care costs program.

April 1, 2010 09:22 am at 9:22 am |

Steve

When will this narcissist realize that maybe he doesn't know what is best for everyone? If he has to 'sell' his health plan to the American people maybe they shouldn't have passed it to begin with....

I saw a great poll the other day. Apparently 3/4 of Americans believe the health care bill will cost more than the CBO and President are saying. That makes me proud to be an American. It shows that the masses are not dumb and remember that just about everything else the government does goes way over budget.

Liberals – the major problem with this bill, among other things, is it's COST! Stop denying this as it only makes you look ignorant.

April 1, 2010 09:22 am at 9:22 am |

POTUS

It's refreshing to get reminded that we have a young and vibrant POTUS and not some old politican from some Mayberry little town in Oklahoma somewhere.

April 1, 2010 09:29 am at 9:29 am |

Rick McDaniel

What's he doing? Gloating over cramming ObamaCare down the public's throat, to gag on?????

What a pathetic person. Do what is totally wrong for the public, and gloat over it. Despicable.

April 1, 2010 09:42 am at 9:42 am |

Shawn

Welcome to the Great State of Maine, Mr. President! We love ya.

April 1, 2010 09:48 am at 9:48 am |

Michelle Obama

I'm still not buying it, Obama..

April 1, 2010 09:48 am at 9:48 am |

Rahm

If the healthcare bill passed and it's so great why does he have to keep selling it? Odd.

April 1, 2010 09:50 am at 9:50 am |

Biased

I am sorry, but I thought this healthcare bill was already the law of the land now. Am I mistaken?
We got 50+ speeches before the vote so are we going to get 50+ more now to say how wonderful he is in doing this? How about JOBS JOBS JOBS for the average American other than 16,000 new IRS ones to track the average American? How about he stops demonizing big business who happen to be following the SEC rules in reporting the facts they need to or they will be breaking the law?

April 1, 2010 09:59 am at 9:59 am |

Adalbert

Why is it that so many Americans have no clue as to what the insurance reform is all about? By now those with any brain at all should clearly understand the reasons for change.
Those who listen to talk radio and other propaganda stations should know by now that the agitators and the oppositions are on the health insurance cartel’s payroll.

April 1, 2010 10:06 am at 10:06 am |

floridian

Why is the President needing to continue to "sell" his health care plan? It is the law so why are tax dollars needed to fly him and his entourage all over the country at a time when the economy is not doing very well? Could it be that this Congress and Administration feel that the American people need to be sold on how good (?) it is 'cause they continue to fear the backlash? My opinion - he and the Democratic leadership fear the upcoming 2010 elections and he needs to continue in the "campaign mode".

April 1, 2010 10:11 am at 10:11 am |

dan smith

Really tired of the non stop campaigning. Doesn't he know how to do anything else,but then I guess he is a community organizer and that's what they do.

April 1, 2010 10:14 am at 10:14 am |

Josh

Mr President keep on trucking. For those who say they can't or want should get out of the way of those who say they can and will.

April 1, 2010 10:16 am at 10:16 am |

Dean

He got his healthcare bill. Why is he still campaigning for it?

April 1, 2010 10:22 am at 10:22 am |

ron

Who is leading our country? Doesn't he have anything else to do but campaign? Why is he still campaigning on this issue, anyway? You'll take my healthcare bill and like it? It's like he's lost inside himself.

April 1, 2010 10:23 am at 10:23 am |

Rush is to far left

If it is so great, why does he still have to sell it??? Doesn't apply to him or congress, yet we are expected to be happy with it?

How much more damage will he be allowed to do to this country?

All you racists that are still supporting Obama need to wake up. I hope enough have awakened that after november he is reduced to a lame duck, that will reduce the damage he can do to america.

April 1, 2010 10:26 am at 10:26 am |

Jimbo

"Coast to coast baby!" The public will like this bill once they hear the "truth" about it...

April 1, 2010 10:29 am at 10:29 am |

Capt. Snarky

Kinda funny that the President has to go out and sell his program to the people. Usually you sell it on it's merits BEFORE you pass it......

April 1, 2010 10:33 am at 10:33 am |

Portland, Maine

Welcome to Maine Mr. President!

April 1, 2010 10:37 am at 10:37 am |

Enough

Stay home, we're not buying the crap you're shoving down our throats. If this was such a great bill Obama wouldn't have to "sell" it to us and make all those closed door backroom deals. We have come to understand what "change" meant and it isn't a good thing. Careful what you wish for. This is the most divisive president ever and he is apparently very comfortable lying with a straight face.

April 1, 2010 10:40 am at 10:40 am |

laughorcry

I guess Americans don't still realize that if the health insurance doesn't work for all of us, it doesn't work for any of us. If any of us can be denied insurance, then all of us can be denied insurance; if any of us can be denied benefits after paying premiums for years, then all of us can be denied benefits; if any of us can have their benefits capped when we need them the most, then all of all can have them capped when we need them the most; if any of us can have premiums raised capriciously then all of us can have them raised capriciously; if any of us can lose affordable health insurance if we lose our jobs, then all of us can lose health insurance if we lose our jobs. If 30 million Americans don't have health insurance then all of us are paying for their health care when they need it.

April 1, 2010 10:43 am at 10:43 am |

Angus McDugan

WHY???????????????????????
The things in it may be good but we still can't afford it!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would love to have a top of the line BMW. I love all the nice things the BMW has, but that does not change the fact that I cannot afford it. Therefore, I make the logical and smart decision to not purchase it.

REMEMBER WHAT CAUSED THE HOUSING BUBBLE?????
Obama may have a Harvard degree but now I wonder how he got it.

April 1, 2010 10:56 am at 10:56 am |

Independent_me

Its AMAZING to me that the Senators from Maine did not support this health care bill. They chose instead to march in lockstep with their totalitarian republican counterparts. NOT a good strategy!